UK2015--Walking Tour

 Johnston and Evelyn graciously drove us to Grange-Over-Sands to our hotel where we met our guide Tom and our congenial Lakeland Ramblers companions for a seven-day walk in the English Lake District. We traveled over to Cartmel in our small bus where we met Stickey Toffee Pudding in the Village Shop--it was hot with ice cream on top and so delicious.

Then we walked along the the Promenade in Grange-over-Sands.  We were treated to an interesting background history as well as the plan for our walking tour by Allen Heppenstall.


















Our itinerary: We started in Grange-over-Sands, shown where the silver marker is at bottom of map. Cartmel is to the left. Then N is Newby Bridge where we spent the second night, then we rambled west toward Coniston Water where we stayed in a hotel right on the water. The next day we visited Brentwood and Sawrey. The next day we went north to Tarn Howes and Holme Fell. Then on to our hotel in Little Langdale. The next day we motored west over to Wryness and Hardknott Passes, all the way to Muncaster Castle on the Irish Sea where the red marker is. Then back to Little Langdale. The next day we walked to Elterwater along Loughrigg Terrace over looking Grasser water then down to Rydal Mount (where green marker points), then along Coffin Road to Dove Cottage. Then our last night in the Three Shires Inn in Little Langdale.

First morning after a hearty breakfast we were met by Tom, our Blue Badger guide, to begin our first day. It was raining, not a gentle English rain but a SC downpour. We donned our gear and made our way up this rocky, treacherous, and wet path. I wondered how I was going to last and why I was doing this? Each step was harder and harder and harder. We finally reached the top where we were promised a spectacular view.

And here we were on the top looking out into fog, mist, and rain.

Kevin looks pretty dejected but we kept on,

Following Tom,

Up and down

And eventually a blue sky!

Spectacular views began to appear--we saw amazing ones with amazing photo ops!

Lots of Lovely Sheep!

The Herdford sheep are native to the region and the ones that Beatrix Potter raised. They are born black, turn a rich brown, then gray


The Swaledale sheep have black faces and spotted legs.

I'm wondering what this Swaledale is thinking with such an admiring audience!

And hillside sheep tourist-watching!


This herdford overseeing our path.

This lovely lake provided a great photo op.

So many photos taken!

We saw a beautiful fell pony.

A stunning golden cow!

And a big black slug!

Our guides were terrific! Here Janet explains the specifics of the Roman Fort we explored.

And, Anne was the guide we most welcomed as she generally brought the van with our lunches or to pick us up. (Here, Anne is watching Jeanne enjoying her umpteenth Stickey Toffee Pudding!)

In addition Ann is a great gardener and a good person to walk with in the beautiful gardens we saw, such as this one in Brantwood.

A giant thistle!

We learned so much from our excellent guides. 

Tom with the neat Blue Badger card was a fountain of knowledge!

There were stiles to maneuver;

Passages to walk through;

 Waters to cross;

 

Boats to step into;

Treacherous Ghylls to scramble down!

And More in Chapter II